Resolution in a Restless World: Islanders Champion Peace-Able Conflict Skills

The Grand Hotel, Wednesday 21 May 2025

In a month when local headlines tell of rising violence in schools, the need to slow down, listen deeply, and respond with care has never been more important. This evening, under the banner “Resolution in a Restless World,” The Resolution Centre’s annual Prize Giving ceremony gathered learners and leaders of many ages and professions to celebrate 25 new adult graduates of the Professional Certificate in Mediation & Mediation Skills (PCMMS) alongside young Peer Mediators from nine schools. Attended by the Deputy Bailiff of Jersey, the event highlighted how a peace-able approach to conflict must be sown in childhood, reaffirmed in our teens, and honed into adulthood.

Planting Seeds of Peace in a Turbulent Landscape

At a time of growing concern around the polarizing effect of social media and during international political unrest, The Resolution Centre’s work helps support the growth of emotional intelligence, resilience, and constructive dialogue. These resolution skills are delivered by The Resolution Centre to schools, businesses, government and to local leaders. They are grounded in empathy and compassion, reinforcing the idea that lasting connection delivers better outcomes – and happier communities – than traditional top-down leadership styles, at home, at school, within government and in the office.  

This year’s ceremony marked a significant expansion of The Resolution Centre’s work in schools, as it launched new partnerships with secondary schools, extending mediation training and conflict resolution tools to teenagers at Le Rocquier School, Victoria College, Grainville School, Haute Vallée School.

These secondary schools will join the 11 local primary schools now successfully running a Peer Mediation programme within their school communities.

Students from Victoria College Prep, Plat Douet, Haut Vallée, St Peter’s School and St Clement’s School (amongst others) shared how the Peer Mediation programme has made their school community safer and supportive, helping them navigate the challenges of social media-related bullying by offering peer-to-peer support using their mediation skills. Delegates also heard from Victoria College’s newly appointed head boy. He talked about how The Resolution Centre had worked with the school’s prefects to instil the skills of mediation amongst the College’s new leaders. The Peer Mediation programme also runs at Victoria College Prep, whose students spoke of cyber bullying and how mediation has helped build connection during our digital, social media age. 

Students from Haut Vallée shared a poem with delegates that included the line:

We’ve learned from TRC how to lead,
Not with force, but with what people need.
A bit of patience, a thoughtful view,
A voice that says, “I hear you too.”

Head boy and girl at Plat Douet told delegates, “The world already has lots of arguments. Politicians arguing, grown-ups moaning on the news, someone having a temper tantrum because a dog barked too loud…We don’t have to be like that. Peer mediation taught us that we can listen, talk and get along.”

“It is more important than ever to equip young people with the skills to manage conflict, build understanding, and foster connection,” said the Deputy Bailiff. “Mediation offers not just a tool for resolving disputes, but a foundation for resilience and respectful dialogue.”

A Lifelong Path from Empathy to Expertise

• 25 adult graduates of the Professional Certificate in Mediation & Mediation Skills received their certificates tonight; they will carry these tools into leadership roles in business, family life, and community organisations.
• Peer Mediators and staff champions from nine primary schools were honoured for helping classmates feel heard, safe, and valued before disagreements could escalate.

Richard Stevens and Howard Le Cornu at The Resolution Centre, stressed that conflict will always arise—but resolution is a skill that can be learned and refined at every stage of life.

“In today’s restless world,” said Richard Stevens, “we’re in a race against impulse. Teaching someone to pause, reflect, and choose connection over confrontation can change everything.”

“Conflict need not be a battle,” added Howard Le Cornu. “With empathy and structure, any disagreement can become an opportunity for growth.”

From Courtrooms to Classrooms: A Shared Mission

The Deputy Bailiff, drawing on decades of legal experience, noted that mediation often delivers more humane, lasting outcomes than litigation—and that its principles belong far beyond the courtroom.

“By choosing mediation, we choose dignity, mutual respect, and the possibility of genuine reconciliation,” he observed.  “Our young mediators have acquired skills which will serve them in years to come.”

The Resolution Centre will expand its programmes across schools, businesses, health services, and government in 2025 and beyond— continuing to build Jersey’s capacity for calm, compassionate conversation.